Cheer me up - PLEASE
By craftcatcher
@craftcatcher (3699)
United States
January 29, 2009 11:14pm CST
I'm not usually one to go on rants about minor problems. Everyone has got it tough, whether it be health problems, family problems, financial problems, whatever.. we all have problems both huge and insignificant. These last few days have been one thing going wrong after another and so far I've been able to shake it all off and even have a chuckle about it but today was the last straw. I am depressed and stressed out.
It started last Saturday. We have a space heater on the porch to keep the pipes behind the washing machine from freezing when it get below 20 degrees. Unfortunately we can't use the microwave with the porch heater on or it trips the breaker. Hubby forgot to plug it back in after fixing his bag of popcorn Saturday night. I'd already gone to sleep so I didn't know. I woke up at 2:00 am for a trip to the bathroom and noticed the cord was unplugged, and it was -2 degrees outside. I ran out onto the porch and turned the washing machine on.... the pipes were frozen! It took me 4 hours to get them thawed but they didn't break. Disaster averted but I was so ticked off at hubby for leaving the heater unplugged!
Monday, I couldn't sleep so I decided to play some games on my computer to unwind. I turned the monitor on.... nothing, zip, zero, nada. Fortunately we did have a spare tucked away in our pile of computer parts. Another easy fix but I got a little stressed. With my fibromyalgia and other immune system problems stress, even minor stress, does horrible things to me.
Tuesday, due to the two stressful situations I am now in full blown insomnia. I can lay down and doze off but no real sleep. My arthritis is kicking up something awful and I can barely walk.
Wednesday, hubby has a audition for a band and they invited me to come along as well. So even as exhausted as I was I went. We were not impressed with the musicians or the lead singer. I don't know if it's going to work out or not but we'll see. So we get home from the audition and there's a light blinking on the tv... ???? I tried to turn it on. It clicked but no sound, no picture. We hit the reset button, cleaned the switch, unplugged it and plugged it back in... nothing. Again, fortunately we had spare tv in the bedroom that we never use. Another easy fix but annoying as hell!
Thursday. I was feeling kind of bad this morning, physically. I still haven't had but a few minutes sleep here and there since last Saturday. I finally got exhausted enough to lay down about 8:00 this morning. It took me a while to drop off but I did fall asleep. At 10:00 the phone rings. It's hubby calling to tell me that he thinks he's getting laid off.. OH WONDERFUL! We're struggling now to make ends meet! I was so tired all I could say was I need to go back to sleep. He said ok and we hung up. I laid back down and of course my mind is now racing. It took me over an hour to get back to sleep. About 1/2 hour after I fell asleep the phone rings. It's hubby again, he didn't get laid off but is cut back to 3 days a week. Still isn't going to cut it, we can't survive on it. Not to mention I'm ticked off at him for calling me when he knew of my insomnia. It could have waited until he got home!
Suddenly I felt physically really horrible. My head felt like it was going to split, my hip joints are so swollen it's agony to walk and now my back hurts. I just got over a kidney/bladder infection about 3 months ago and now with all stresses this week, it's back and I'm running a fever.
I keep wondering what's going to happen next. Don't get me wrong, I don't feel sorry for myself, there are a whole lot of people a hell of lot worse off than we are and I'm not saying that my little problems are even important. Most of the depression is because of the insomnia and the fever isn't helping. Little minor things start feeling like major things when your sick and exhausted.
So CHEER ME UP MYLOT! Anybody got any good jokes? Quips? Smart aleck remarks? And to make this a discussion... how do you handle the stressful times when a whole string of minor things go wrong in a short period of time?
6 people like this
17 responses
@Little_Stormy (6883)
• United States
30 Jan 09
How about something funny to listen to?
I recorded this yesterday :)
http://www.singsnap.com/snap/r/bb10bffba
2 people like this
@craftcatcher (3699)
• United States
30 Jan 09
That was great Stormy! You sound like such a sweet little southern belle.
@Little_Stormy (6883)
• United States
30 Jan 09
gosh! I am surprised you could tell.... I don't even have an accent! wow!
you must be clear-voyant!
1 person likes this
@Kashmeresmycat (6369)
• United States
30 Jan 09
Awww, you poor kid. I do know how you feel though, I really do. I'm not going to tell you what I'm going through because this is YOUR time, not mine.
Here's what I try to do when I'm just plain completely miserable.
Buy a really cheap bouquet of flowers and spread them out around the house. A few here, a few there. I can get these like for $2.95 at one of the stores I'm around. It helps for some reason, maybe because they're so pretty to look at.
Go through old photographs. Places you've been to, family gatherings, whatever gives you a good feeling. You can do this while you're laying down resting even.
Start reading a really good interesting book, heck, that always puts me to sleep. I can't read like I use to but it kind of takes you away from where you are.
Throw in a movie you like very much, make a snack to go along with it and get comfy. If you want, do this with your husband, haha, if not, don't.
Do something that will take your mind off your problems...take a warm bath, light a candle in the bathroom and try to relax. I usually drink, haha, with this one but I don't know if you drink or not. Doesn't matter one way or the other, even if it's a cup of warm tea, or hot lemonade. It's the relaxation I'm after, or trying to find. Clear my thoughts.
Make something, or craft something, whether it be cookies or a new surprise dinner...dig around, put some pictures in an album, paint something like a flower in a vase, knit, crochet, do something you like to do whether it looks good or not. I know it's hard, but it helps to pass the time away, it really does.
I know for a fact this not what you want to hear...it stinks when you're feeling this way. It's hard for people to understand if you've never been there..I have. But these suggestions do help whether you want to do them or not, lol!
Tomorrow will be a better day, and if not tomorrow, the next. I promise. xxoo
1 person likes this
@craftcatcher (3699)
• United States
1 Feb 09
Thanks Kash, I finally got some sleep. A melatonin tablet, a cup of chamomile and a mindlessly boring game did me in! Woke up to hubby fixing breakfast. Now how cool is that! 
I love those nature CDs, hubby does too. Poor baby has tinitus so he has at least a dozen of those CDs and listens to them all the time. I use them sometimes for meditation. They're wonderful!
I love those nature CDs, hubby does too. Poor baby has tinitus so he has at least a dozen of those CDs and listens to them all the time. I use them sometimes for meditation. They're wonderful!
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
30 Jan 09
HAndle them one at a time!
Just plugging away here come to mylot to get out os anything I dont want to be in.
Sorry no jokes today.
One from Grand daughter . the other day she told her mom she was packing to go to New York! and that she would miss mommy but not to worry she would send postcarfd.
now she is only 4 so we dont know where this came from lol
1 person likes this
@craftcatcher (3699)
• United States
30 Jan 09
Hi Lakota! Thanks so much for stopping by my friend! That did make me smile! I wonder where your Granddaughter came up with that!? Must have seen it on a tv show or something. Picking up something like that at 4 yrs old... I'll bet she's smart as a whip! What a little treasure.
@Darkwing (21583)
•
1 Feb 09
Sheeeeeeeesh, I think I would suggest a good cleansing of yourself, hubby and your entire home, then place some objects around your home to welcome in the light and spring... new beginnings. It sounds as though right now, you're surrounded by negatives, and with today being Imbolc, it's a good time to start afresh.
In the meantime, I'm putting some Mr. Bean videos in here. I don't know whether you've heard of Mr. Bean, played by Rown Atkinson, but I think he's hilarious and if you think you're an unfortunate soul now, you won't by the time you've watched him for a few minutes! lol.
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=etUq95XKGiw
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=etUq95XKGiw
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=-bm9mhX1q4o
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=-bm9mhX1q4o
Enjoy... hope they get you laughing! Brightest Blessings. xx
1 person likes this
@craftcatcher (3699)
• United States
1 Feb 09
Hubby is a Rowan Atkinson addict! If we don't watch at least one show that has Rowan Atkinson in it once a month he goes into withdrawals. We have every episode of Black Adder, every Mr. Bean movie, almost every episode of the Mr. Bean tv series, Johnny English, a few episodes of The Thin Blue Line and I think he has a few bootleg live performance videos as well. He is absolutely hilarious and always gives me a good laugh.
It definitely feels like we've had a negative black cloud around us lately. I am trying very hard not to be negative but it is getting on my nerves in a big way. I think I will do as you suggested and just get a new beginning started. A good day to do it for sure.
Thanks so much my friend XHUGSX
@Paula1966 (1102)
• United States
31 Jan 09
Can it be an off-color joke? I don't have any good stress-handling tips... sometimes having good friends to vent to helps. I probably would be totally frazzled and no good in your situation, so I think you are handling it way better than I would.
@craftcatcher (3699)
• United States
31 Jan 09
Hi Paula! Hey I love off color jokes. I spend most of my time around musicians so I don't think I even know any clean jokes! Thanks so much for your help, I really appreciate it.
Thanks so much for your help, I really appreciate it.
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
30 Jan 09
Craft Sweetie I am so sorry to read this and yes there are People with Problems but it does not mean that yours are little Problems they are not and they are causing you to much Stress which is not good at all
You need to try and calm down and do not wonder what will happen next I know it is hard believe me I am like you always worried, I am going through He** at the moment with something here that is causing me sleepless Nights but it is something that I am going to sort once and for all next week and it is not as bad as what you are going through
But please try to switch of from it, I am on Anti depressants, due to not coping with my change of Life due to this Illness and also due to the past 42 years of Sh*t I went through so that keeps me at Bay if I did not have them I would be a totally Mess
You need to rest and try to stop the mind working over time think of something nice, something you would love to do, put some soothing Music on if you need to
I always think of my Dream, swimming with the Dolphins in a deep blue Sea under a lovely clear Sky and no one there but me and the Dolphins swimming
Ok here is your Laugh
As you know Gissi is a devil for barking early hours, well yesterday he was under the Covers, he started barking like mad when he heard the Gate, in the process of getting from under the covers and on the Floor, he managed to drag half the cover with him, it was cold and well I was not impressed, but he did not care that I was telling him of and carried on with his racket, well that is Gissi lol
Please take care of yourself
Hugs to you
@craftcatcher (3699)
• United States
30 Jan 09
OH thank you gabs! I can just picture Gissi running full tilt and dragging the covers off the bed. He is so adorable.
Swimming with dolphins is something I've always dreamed about. That would be awesome. My mouse pad is a beautiful painted scene of dolphins and sea turtles and I have often imagined myself swimming with them in the open ocean. It is very calming.
I hope we can both get all our current problems solved. They are so disruptive and stressful. I would be overjoyed if everything was just normal for a while, nothing more.. just normal average everyday stuff. XHUGSX to you my dear friend and a pat on the head to Gissi from his Auntie Crafty .
XHUGSX to you my dear friend and a pat on the head to Gissi from his Auntie Crafty .
@ycanteye (778)
• United States
30 Jan 09
You're going to think I'm totally nuts but I just sit down and laugh because it gets to the point it's either that or cry and I'd much rather laugh. I'm usually thinking, "this is ridiculous what's next". I also, at times, will listen to my music at a higher than normal volume.
1 person likes this
@craftcatcher (3699)
• United States
30 Jan 09
Hi hon, Thanks for stopping by I really appreciate it. Nope I don't think you're nuts because that's normally what I do as well! I'd much rather shake my head and laugh than cry about it. And I have been known to crank up the volume on my stereo to get out some frustration! I've been doing that a lot lately. Hubby getting his hours cut is scary. I'm racking my brains trying to figure out what to do. Hubby says he's going to go to the employment office but jobs are very scarce around here. Now it's a hurry up and wait game.... Uggh.
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
30 Jan 09
awww craftcatcher. What a horrible few days you have had. I felt my stress level rising just reading your plight. I'm glad that you let the hubby live or you could be in a jail cell....no pipes to worry about & a free roof and meals but no computer and we'd miss you. I have no funny words to make you smile but here is a big hug for you! I hope this bad luck spell passes real soon and things start looking up for you. I also hope that some of the others here have some funny stories to make you laugh and smile.
1 person likes this
@craftcatcher (3699)
• United States
30 Jan 09
Thanks so much sid, actually you did make me laugh when you said "I'm glad you let the hubby live.." I really was PO'd. Good thing I love him otherwise I would have kicked his butt out of bed and told him to go thaw out the pipes himself. But I was already awake so no sense in both of us having a bad night. I sure let him have it when he got up though so we both had a bad morning! Poor guy felt so bad.
I hope it passes quickly too, enough is enough already. I talked to hubby on the phone a while ago and he's feeling the strain too. He said the batteries on his remote went out this morning and he got upset about it. I told him I know how he feels, so many things going wrong in a short period of time add up and insignificant inconveniences start feeling like a big deal. We're both one big raw nerve at the moment. We both just need a couple of days rest and relaxation to de-stress.
I really was PO'd. Good thing I love him otherwise I would have kicked his butt out of bed and told him to go thaw out the pipes himself. But I was already awake so no sense in both of us having a bad night. I sure let him have it when he got up though so we both had a bad morning! Poor guy felt so bad.
I hope it passes quickly too, enough is enough already. I talked to hubby on the phone a while ago and he's feeling the strain too. He said the batteries on his remote went out this morning and he got upset about it. I told him I know how he feels, so many things going wrong in a short period of time add up and insignificant inconveniences start feeling like a big deal. We're both one big raw nerve at the moment. We both just need a couple of days rest and relaxation to de-stress. 
@littleowl (7157)
•
30 Jan 09
Are you sure that someone isn't playing around with you? eg one of your spirit friends!! Did you also know that Kashi also suffers with fibro and you are both singers! I hope you do feel better soon, with me when I get stressed etc which I am going through at the moment my body plays all sorts with me eg excema all over, blackouts, insomnia and other illnesses too so am not any better than you at coping with it than you are...so we make a pair eh...take care of yourself hugs littleowl1 person likes this
@craftcatcher (3699)
• United States
31 Jan 09
Then you about stress too! It does terrible things to the body. I don't know if someone is messing with me but they better quit it! They really don't want to see me angry.. grrrrrrr...
Yes I've talked to Kashi, she's great and a lot of fun. We have a lot in common.
I'm going to try to get a good night's sleep. Fortunately I made it to midnight without anything bad happening today so maybe that's a good sign. I hope I hope.
Thanks so much hon, XHUGSX
Yes I've talked to Kashi, she's great and a lot of fun. We have a lot in common.
I'm going to try to get a good night's sleep. Fortunately I made it to midnight without anything bad happening today so maybe that's a good sign. I hope I hope.
Thanks so much hon, XHUGSX @moonlitmagikchild (22181)
• United States
30 Jan 09
i usually play on the internet to get my mind off of things.. go to silly sites with stupid videos or i play on stumble.. other times i will read magazines or watch tv etc.. i know how it is when everything hits you at once and its just like ENOUGH ALREADY!!! i think i live in that mode a lot of times it seems and you just got to find a way to distract yourself until an answer for one of the problems comes around.. i know having fibro on top of everything going to hell makes everything ten times worse.. 
if you like simple or flash games go to zdnet and download "ziggy games".. you have to be online for it to work but it downloads 200 games and it also has a lot of things for watching movies and listenting to the radio online.. the flash games arent those ghetto like stick figure drawing type games you find in the store but even though simple they are entertaining at least and will keep you busy for awhile.. it has anything from a diner dash type game to mah johngg and suduko etc.. i tend to play mindless games when i am really about to lose it till my eyes cross and i pass out.. i have insomnia all the time so anything i can do with half my mind either half asleep or in stressville yet some what entertains me is my friend!! lol..
i hope things get better!!
if you like simple or flash games go to zdnet and download "ziggy games".. you have to be online for it to work but it downloads 200 games and it also has a lot of things for watching movies and listenting to the radio online.. the flash games arent those ghetto like stick figure drawing type games you find in the store but even though simple they are entertaining at least and will keep you busy for awhile.. it has anything from a diner dash type game to mah johngg and suduko etc.. i tend to play mindless games when i am really about to lose it till my eyes cross and i pass out.. i have insomnia all the time so anything i can do with half my mind either half asleep or in stressville yet some what entertains me is my friend!! lol..
i hope things get better!!1 person likes this
@sudalunts (5523)
• United States
30 Jan 09
Oh craftcatcher, I would love to be able to cheer up, but I need cheering up myself.
I have been out of work for seven months. My husband was working as a salesman for a major carpet company, commissions only.
Two weeks ago, my father had a heart attack, he is still in the hospital because other issues has come up. He is depressed and uncooperative, so the they have him restrained.
Last sunday, my brother was admitted into the hospital. He has not been able to walk for a couple of weeks. He is having problems with his knees.
There was also another issue that was found and he is still in the hospital.
My mother has Cancer, and she is home now by herself, because my brother was living upstairs. She has not been able to see my father in a week.
This morning, my husband left for work early, because he had a meeting. He called me about a hour later, and said that he had gotten fired. My heart skipped a beat.
Our rent is due on the 1st, and we do not have the money to pay it.
I need to know as well how to handle stressful times when a whole string of things go wrong in a short period of time.
I won't say minor, because not being able to pay your rent I do not consider minor.
I wish you well, and hopefully you have gotten some sleep.
1 person likes this
@craftcatcher (3699)
• United States
30 Jan 09
Wow Su, it is people like you which prompted me to say I said I don't feel sorry for myself. I know there are so many who are a hell of a lot worse off than we are and you are one of them.
I really feel for you hon and I wish there was something I could say or do to make it better. All I can do is wish you the best of luck, hope for it all to pass quickly and send you a huge (((hug))).
The person who responded below you sent a link that's supposed to be cheerful. I'm going to go check it out. Maybe there's something there to cheer you up as well.
More (((hugs))) to you and thanks for stopping by. You gave me a better perspective on my own situation and I appreciate that.
@tamarafireheart (15384)
•
30 Jan 09
Hi Craftcatcher,
Gosh! I really feel for you, I would have gone nuts with my hubby for ringing up when I am trying to sleep,well as you need cheering up I will tell you what my hubby dide the other day, I shampooed my carpet and was so proud as it looked like new and the nex night my hubby was fiddling round with his bicycle in the front room room, I felt tired and went to bed after being on my computer all evening. I woke up next day and he had gone out bike riding and left a note saying he was going into work straight after work. I sat down with a nice cup of coffee and then I saw it, I was so angry, there was a great big clumps of black grease all over my clean carpet, I hade to clean it woth hot water and vinager and it came off but it was black grease from one stop and it dripped half way the the hall way. Later when he came home I let him have it and he just looked at the clean carpet and said, oh I didn't do it, it must have been the cats!!! my poor cats just laid there twigged their ears and went back to sleep. Love and hugs.
Tamara
1 person likes this
@craftcatcher (3699)
• United States
30 Jan 09
Hi Tamara! Thanks so much hon, I'm glad I'm not the only one who has a hubby who doesn't stop and think before doing something really stupid! I love my hubby to pieces but sometimes I have to follow him around like a child to make sure he doesn't do something silly or forgetful. Like Sunday, he went up to the grocery store to pick up a few things. I was in the livingroom so I heard him come in and put the groceries away. Then he came into the livingroom and said he was going to go take a shower. All of a sudden I got really cold and I thought it was just a delayed blast of cold air from when he came in. After about 20 minutes I wasn't getting any warmer so I thought I better go turn the furnace on for a few minutes. I walked into the kitchen to find he'd left the back door wide open! Not only that but he'd left the refridgerator door open as well! uggggh! Men!
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
31 Jan 09
Hey craft! So sorry to hear that you are not feeling well!
You are usually the one to be the cheerer upper! I am not
good at jokes so I won't even try! And I don't handle my own
stress too well so I can't even give you helpful tips for
handling that! So basically I just wanted to let you know
that I can understand and identify how you feel when lots
of little things happen one after another and then the stress
makes the pains start! That I am all too familiar with! All
I can say is to hang in there and hopefully things will get
better? That's what I do! And if you need to talk or vent
or rant you know where to come to! We will always be here
waiting!
1 person likes this
@craftcatcher (3699)
• United States
31 Jan 09
Thanks so much Opal, no jokes necessary, I just appreciate you stopping by. I'm hanging in there. Just trying to take it easy and not think to much. Gosh my mind gets to racing at the speed of light sometimes and it's hard to shut it off. But I got a lot of it out of my system today so hopefully I'll get some good sleep tonight and a better outlook tomorrow.
You are a real gem Opal 
@AmbiePam (92719)
• United States
30 Jan 09
Girl, you've got the devil on your tail! Not literally, but what a week you've been having! I am so glad you got those pipes thawed. The bill to fix that would have been a pain in the rear. Not to mention a dent in the bank account. I'm trying to think of something funny, but right now comedy eludes me. How about a poem? Roses are red, violets are blue, if you screw up one more time, I shall surely puke on you!
1 person likes this
@craftcatcher (3699)
• United States
30 Jan 09
Hey Pam, you did pretty good on the poem! Made me LOL! Thanks so much I really appreciate that.
1 person likes this
@teapotmommommerced (10359)
• United States
2 Feb 09
Boy what a horrible week you had last week. I know you are always a positive person. Someone told me this one once and it help me when my back was hurt and I could barely walk she said "And this too shall pass"
Now for some good news. "MY grand baby will be here soon. The doctor will induce labor on February 16 if he is not here by then. yayayayaya
@craftcatcher (3699)
• United States
2 Feb 09
Hey yah! Congrats on the new grand baby! I'm glad they're waiting until after Valentine's Day. I feel so sorry for people who have birthdays ON holidays, they always get half the presents other kids get!
Thanks so much for giving me that news tea. Babies are always a cheerful subject!!
Thanks so much for giving me that news tea. Babies are always a cheerful subject!!1 person likes this
@teapotmommommerced (10359)
• United States
6 Feb 09
I hope things are better for you this week. I hope you are feeling better also. Isn't it horrible that we no longer can handle stress? I get so dizzy when I get stressed. I have been so depressed since Christmas and what my dad did to me and then having to deal with my mom on a daily basis it sometimes more than I can handle. Oh well I will be in Reno Nv next week for the delivery of our grandson.
My husband took the whole week off of work to be with the kids also. It will be a family affair.
I hope your money and appliances problems get better.
Your friend.
@zigzagbuddha (4601)
• United States
1 Feb 09
I tweak my vibration, doing whatever I can to get myself back into alignment.
My pipes froze over here too, and this after racking up a huge electric bill running heaters constantly to avoid having it happen. I went across the street to my mother's house to take a shower and her pipes had frozen too. My mother was out of town so I had to stay at her house with all my kitties while I tried to thaw them out, and her house depresses me. The pipes burst anyway. I couldn't take a shower for 2 weeks.
I said to myself "phuck it, resistance is futile" and snuggled up in front of the heater with a cozy murder mystery and just let the whole thing play out however it was going to play out. It all worked out fine by the way. It always does.
And here is a joke for you too:
A guy is sitting at the bar just staring at his drink for half an hour when this big trouble-making biker steps next to him, grabs his drink, gulps it down in one swig and then turns to the guy with menacing stare as if to say, 'What'cha gonna do about it?'
The poor little guy starts crying. 'Come on man I was just giving you a hard time,' the biker says. 'I didn't think you'd CRY.' 'I can't stand to see a man crying.
'This is the worst day of my life,' says the little guy between sobs. 'I can't do anything right. I overslept and was late to an important meeting, so my boss fired me. When I went to the parking lot, I found my car was stolen and I don't have any insurance. I left my wallet in the cab I took home. I found my wife in bed with the gardener and my dog bit me. So, I came to this bar trying to work up the courage to put an end to my life, and then you show up and drink the damn poison.
@craftcatcher (3699)
• United States
1 Feb 09
Oh no zig honey! Uggh what a mess. I'm so sorry that happened to you. I've been through the broken pipes scenario and it is no fun, I think that's why I got so upset when the washing machine wouldn't turn on. All I could think was "OH NO NOT AGAIN!" I'm standing on a freezing cold porch with only a nightgown on and sweating bullets! I think the only reason they didn't break is I caught it just before they froze solid. There's been a lot of broken pipes going on this winter. I knew I lucked out by the skin of my teeth.
That joke was great! Hubby got a chuckle out of it too! Thanks so much for that.
XHUGSX to you my friend! Hopefully the worst of the winter is behind us now.
